By the time you read this article, the Christmas festivities will almost be ending at the elementary school. The final Christmas hurrah will be the class parties on Thursday, December 17. (Why Thursday and not Friday you ask? Because there is so much clutter from parties and decorations, we allow a day for the custodians to move everything out to the trash.)
There is absolutely nothing like being in an elementary school for the holidays. Smiles, laughter, singing, and the stories from the students and their perceptions of the holiday are the most fun. For example, a kindergarten teacher had put up her tree over the weekend. One student was overheard telling other students that they would be putting garlic (garland) on the tree.
One second grader wrote this: All I want for Christmas is a Real playhouse becus I want a ril house sow I dunte haf to to the dishis. I want a pink mp3 plarer becas it will have all my favrit songs on it. I want a Big Barbie house with 3 barbies becus I thake thay are cyut.
Now the real wonder is that we all survive this time. Teachers are not only preparing for their families’ Christmas, but they plan so each child in their class has a memorable time at school, too.
This article is dedicated to the wonder of the little ones thinking. One teacher was having a lesson demonstrating the differences in people for the children to learn discrimination skills. She realized there was not a student in her room who had freckles, and she did. So, she takes off her glasses and says, “What do I have that is different from the others.” One student instantly says, “Wrinkles!”
Another student was permitted to use permanent markers for the first time, and said happily, “I did a good job with my pregnant marker today!”
As we prepare for the next semester, all of our classrooms will be equipped with new SmartBoards. (Imagine a very large bulletin board, that is connected to a computer and can access many Internet sites for teaching.) To accomplish the installation of these, some current boards had to be removed, and temporarily, some calendars were taken down. Kindergarten students were asking… “How will we know what day today is?” (One child answered he had a calendar at home and would look for the class.) Another asked, “How will we know it is the 100th day, and we may miss it?” (There is a big celebration here for the 100th day.)
Yes, this time of year can precipitate the addition of more wrinkles. Mrs. Moody, our music teacher and choir leader, plans a program involving over 800 students. Imagine the wonder of that many students singing together. Holding this event at the new High School Gym, we found one side filled with all the students and the other side was overflowing with parents, grandparents, guardians, aunts, uncles, etc. We were totally amazed at the attendance, and we deeply appreciate all the families supporting our students’ efforts.
The last song was so dynamic and inspired the holiday spirit in all of us. I wanted to share words to part of the song: Hearts around the world. Hearts beating as one. Hearts around the world will show the way. Pray for the peace of a distant land. Share the hope that we’ll understand, with our heart and soul, we will reach the goal of hearts around the world. The last reprise is: Hearts around the world, hearts beating as one, hearts around the world will show the way for lasting peace on earth! There is no way to describe approximately 800 students singing this song with the open innocence of children.
We wish for each of you a peaceful Christmas experienced with an open heart.
Cheryl Orr is the assistant principal at the Heber Springs Elementary School. Her column will appear the third Wednesday of each month.
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By the time you read this article, the Christmas festivities will almost be ending at the elementary school. The final Christmas hurrah will be the class parties on Thursday, December 17. (Why Thursday and not Friday you ask? Because there is so much clutter from parties and decorations, we allow a day for the custodians to move everything out to the trash.)
There is absolutely nothing like being in an elementary school for the holidays. Smiles, laughter, singing, and the stories from the students and their perceptions of the holiday are the most fun. For example, a kindergarten teacher had put up her tree over the weekend. One student was overheard telling other students that they would be putting garlic (garland) on the tree.
One second grader wrote this: All I want for Christmas is a Real playhouse becus I want a ril house sow I dunte haf to to the dishis. I want a pink mp3 plarer becas it will have all my favrit songs on it. I want a Big Barbie house with 3 barbies becus I thake thay are cyut.
Now the real wonder is that we all survive this time. Teachers are not only preparing for their families’ Christmas, but they plan so each child in their class has a memorable time at school, too.
This article is dedicated to the wonder of the little ones thinking. One teacher was having a lesson demonstrating the differences in people for the children to learn discrimination skills. She realized there was not a student in her room who had freckles, and she did. So, she takes off her glasses and says, “What do I have that is different from the others.” One student instantly says, “Wrinkles!”
Another student was permitted to use permanent markers for the first time, and said happily, “I did a good job with my pregnant marker today!”
As we prepare for the next semester, all of our classrooms will be equipped with new SmartBoards. (Imagine a very large bulletin board, that is connected to a computer and can access many Internet sites for teaching.) To accomplish the installation of these, some current boards had to be removed, and temporarily, some calendars were taken down. Kindergarten students were asking… “How will we know what day today is?” (One child answered he had a calendar at home and would look for the class.) Another asked, “How will we know it is the 100th day, and we may miss it?” (There is a big celebration here for the 100th day.)
Yes, this time of year can precipitate the addition of more wrinkles. Mrs. Moody, our music teacher and choir leader, plans a program involving over 800 students. Imagine the wonder of that many students singing together. Holding this event at the new High School Gym, we found one side filled with all the students and the other side was overflowing with parents, grandparents, guardians, aunts, uncles, etc. We were totally amazed at the attendance, and we deeply appreciate all the families supporting our students’ efforts.
The last song was so dynamic and inspired the holiday spirit in all of us. I wanted to share words to part of the song: Hearts around the world. Hearts beating as one. Hearts around the world will show the way. Pray for the peace of a distant land. Share the hope that we’ll understand, with our heart and soul, we will reach the goal of hearts around the world. The last reprise is: Hearts around the world, hearts beating as one, hearts around the world will show the way for lasting peace on earth! There is no way to describe approximately 800 students singing this song with the open innocence of children.
We wish for each of you a peaceful Christmas experienced with an open heart.
Cheryl Orr is the assistant principal at the Heber Springs Elementary School. Her column will appear the third Wednesday of each month.
